Andre Ledor's New Invention (1936)

[copperleaves]

The player's name was Andrew Manheim (Andre Ledor was his stage name). His ETHONIUM is a pitch only version of Martin Taubman's ELECTRONDE. Since the Ethonium broadcasts directly to a radio (via the horizontal antenna you see in the video) volume control would have been very complicated. Taubman used a foot pedal volume control for his instrument as well as a cutoff switch held in the left hand. Both the ELECTRONDE and the ETHONIUM were based on Leon Theremin's early theremin prototypes.

[BlueCougar]

It's half a theremin, since there is no volume control. He's holding a cutoff switch in his left hand.

[wets0ck]

LOL Did he really say "from the ridiculous to the sublime"?

[luvebug21]

What is he doing?lool

[TreblePop]

This is hilarious, yet fascinating. Love these time capsule type videos. Like the guy's cool accent, too.

[johannahlarsen]

wow, he's pretty skilled, knowing exactly where the notes are within that airspace.

it sounds like someone humming very loudly.

[gregoryagogo]

Freaky-Deaky!

[muscleco]

The cute tune is "Congratulate me" by THE NEW MAYFAIR ORCHESTRA conducted by Percival Mackey on HMV, with the 3 Ginx singing

[crabbster21]

Isn't that device aka a Theramin? Finally made famous long after its invention by the Beach Boys in "Good Vibrations." Love that cute song dubbed over in the beginning.

[RatPfink66]

Part theremin, anyway. I guess the new wrinkle was being able to transmit wirelessly to a nearby radio.